Erok could feel the heat of his attackers gaze burning into the back of his head. Thinking himself lucky that he was not recognized, Erok raised his armoured mask from a pouch hidden under his clothes and quickly attached it securely to his face. He couldn't afford even the slightest chance that his being alive was noticed after all this time.

Erok was relived to see Mai keeping pace with him, albeit a few dozen feet away. Drawing near, he lifted his mask briefly and made eye contact, and tried to keep his voice down low enough so he wouldn't be heard by the Water Tribe woman.

"Steam wouldn't have delayed the woman for long, can you give her some obstacles to trip over? Anything I do with water while running likely won't hold her for long, and I don't think we have time to stand and fight!"